JCPenney’s Stock Price Tumbles

NEW YORK (AP) – JCPenney’s shares are tumbling a day after the department store chain announced the sudden departure of Michael Francis, a top Target executive brought in last October to help redefine the store’s brand.

In a terse statement issued late Monday, JCPenney gave no reason for the abrupt departure of Francis, who was its president. In that post, Francis was responsible for the marketing of a controversial new pricing plan that aims to get rid of hundreds of sales events. He also oversaw merchandising and product development.

The move comes as JCPenney is trying to reverse a sharp drop in traffic and plummeting sales after its new pricing strategy spearheaded by new CEO Ron Johnson confused shoppers.

Shares are down $2.46, or 10.1 percent, to $21.87 in midday trading Tuesday.